446136 Sat Sep 29 17:45:32 -0700 2007 16 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 2989201 I was with two friends today in downtown Oakland, and we happened to park in front of a new Belgian beer bar that’s about to open up on 8th St. at Broadway. Dude, Belgian beers! Right here in Oakland! From their site (www.thetrappist.com) : The Trappist is owned and operated by Aaron Porter and Chuck Stilphen. We strive to bring you the finest beer available, served properly at the correct temperature and in the correct glass. Our bottle list features over 120 Belgian, Dutch, French and American micro brews. We have 15 rotating beer taps, which feature local California, and specialty micro brews from the US as well as several Belgians. We also feature a weekly Cask ale selection from the UK or US. You wont find any big corporate brews here, just the finest artisan brewers. Holy moly, this is going to be amazing. Sat Sep 29 17:45:32 -0700 2007 13302 cfarivar 1 2991556 Nothing new about Belgian beer in Oakland. Sun Sep 30 20:56:51 -0700 2007 2989201 11369 Robert Lauriston 2 2991593 I don't think the Luka's selection is that big, is it? 120 bottles! Looking forward to trying it.... Sun Sep 30 21:22:47 -0700 2007 2991556 10158 susancinsf 3 2992831 Luka's has 16 rotating taps, about half of which are Belgian. No hand pumps. Toronado in SF has around 45 taps and three hand pumps, about a quarter Belgian. Bottles I can drink at home. Mon Oct 01 10:30:00 -0700 2007 2991593 11369 Robert Lauriston 4 2994090 Under normal circumstances, I would agree with the "Bottles I can drink at home" sentiment, but perusing their bottle menu, I noticed the Westvleteren abbey brews for sale - haven't had the pleasure of ever trying any myself, but my inner beer-geek reminds me that these are amongst the rarest, most highly-prized brews around, so much so that if you see any Stateside, it's most likely been handcarried back from Belgium (the photos on their website attest to that, it seems). $30 for a bottle of beer is beyond the pale for most, but I must confess that I'm tempted - not like I'm planning a trek to Belgium any time soon.... Mon Oct 01 15:47:46 -0700 2007 2992831 63276 Spatlese 5 2994171 Luka's has had Westvleteren. Toronado has one on their current list: http://www.toronado.com/bottles.htm Mon Oct 01 16:08:39 -0700 2007 2994090 11369 Robert Lauriston 6 2995024 And Luka's has those good Belgian style frites to go with the brews. Mon Oct 01 21:58:18 -0700 2007 2994171 67706 WCchopper 1 2991617 The list looks great, but I've got to say that drinking that near the police station makes me...nervous. Definitely taking BART. Sun Sep 30 21:36:23 -0700 2007 2989201 17723 lexdevil 1 3067543 I've got word from the owner that it won't be opening until sometime probably in November. Thu Oct 25 14:15:49 -0700 2007 3009789 13302 cfarivar 1 3112220 I know the owner's wife. This place is/will be a real labor of love. Give them a try when they open, Chuck is really serious about Belgian beers and will put 110% into it. Fri Nov 09 21:30:39 -0800 2007 2989201 43918 recycleit 1 3175787 Per the Web site the grand opening is is this Friday, 12/7, at 4pm. Mon Dec 03 12:16:47 -0800 2007 2989201 11369 Robert Lauriston 2 3181883 Opening beer list is online: http://www.thetrappist.com/ontap.htm Wed Dec 05 10:35:41 -0800 2007 3175787 11369 Robert Lauriston 3 3182178 Are they planning to serve just beer, or food (at least snacks) as well? If the latter, maybe they could be a nice alternative to Luka's. Wed Dec 05 11:49:00 -0800 2007 3181883 11816 Agent 510 1 3226206 Anything particularly good to eat nearby besides Luka's? Thu Dec 20 13:25:52 -0800 2007 2989201 67706 WCchopper 2 3226506 I like Restaurant B in Old Oakland. I had a delicious meal there last Saturday night. http://www.boakland.com/ Thu Dec 20 14:44:57 -0800 2007 3226206 87399 mutterer 2 3226530 I liked Levende East as well. Thu Dec 20 14:52:04 -0800 2007 3226206 14367 The Dive 1 3264020 I go there today to check it out along with the other nascent Belgian beer places in the area. Reviews, ratings will be at ratebeer.com. Some other RateBeerians will be going through there tomorrow.We're all very excited in the craft beer community! Sat Jan 05 10:12:41 -0800 2008 2989201 154932 joet